Hydraulic switch and signal device



(No Model.)- 4 sheets-svheet 1.

J. A. ZINN. HYDRAULIC SWITCH ANDSICNAL DEVICE. No. 374,768. l Patented DeC. 13, 1887.

N, PETERS, PhnmLhhogmpher. Wnshinglun, D. C.

(NoModel.) A l @sheets-sheet 2. `v

, J. A. ZINN.

HYDRAULIC SWITCH AND SIGNAL DEVICE.

No. 374,768. Patented Deo. 13,1887.

N. PETERS. Phnv-Lilbognphr. Washing-mn. l.)4 (l 7(NoM-dae1.)- l 4.sheets-sheet 3.

J. A. ZINN. HYDRAULIC SWITCH AND SIGNAL DEVIB. N0. 374,768lv Patented Deo. 13

(No Mode1.) y beets-sheet 4, J. A. ZINN.. HYDRAULIC vSWITCH ANDV'SIGNAL DEVICE. No. 374,768.

\ Patentedl Deo. 13,

NiTnD STATES PATENT Carica.

J. AUGUST ZINN, or ALTooNA, PENNSYLVANIA.

HYDRAULIC SWITCH AND SIGNAL DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 374,768, dated December 13, 1887.

Application filed January 19,1857. Serial No. 224,818. (No modal.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, J. AUGUST ZINN, of Altoona, county of Blair, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hydraulic Switch and Signal Devices, of which the following is a true and exact description, due reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

Figure 1 shows section of the apparatus in position on line y y, Fig. 2, and the manner of its connection, with the method of operating the liquid so as to operate the switch or signal; also locking device. Fig. 2 is a'sectional elevation on line x x, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows section of valve for operating liquid which acts upon the signal or switch to be operated on. Fig. 4 shows perspective analytical sketch of flap and method of locking the same. Fig. 5 shows operation of movement of iiap; Fig. 6, detail of bar, cam, and locking devices. Fig. 7 shows view of flap. Fig. 8 shows descriptive view of apparatus in position and its manner of connection with the accumulator and reservoir. Fig. 9 shows device by which constant pressure on the valve of the cylinder is maintained. Fig. 10 shows description of same, Fig. 8, andv connection with signal apparatus.

By my invention thelevers and signal-operating apparatus are arranged in series of any desired number, the individual operating apparatus consisting of a lever,a source of liquidsupply, a cylinder, a piston, and the signal-- actuating mechanism and the signal, .and connection between said cylinder and the signalactuating mechanism, all of which will be more specifically described hereinafter; and one object of myinvention is to arrange these signal-operating apparatus in series, so that they coact vone upon another, as will hereinafter be described.

rIhe apparatus, as shown, Fig. 8, is behind the telegraph-instruments, and the advantage of my arrangement and device is that one man is able comfortably to do the same work ordinarily done by two, and by an arrangement of locking devices any combination of levers can be locked or releasedduring the operation of one of the levers. The liquid to be used should be such as willnot change its liquid form under the ordinary changes of-temperature. The liquid is pumpedv from the reservoir 1, Fig. 8, into the accumulator 2, and there subjected to the desired pressure. From this accumulator it is admitted into the supright-hand lever beingl in elevation and theother two in section online a" fr, Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows section on line y y, Fig. 2.

Similar iigures denote similar parts. The valve-box 5 is fitted with any number of levers (shown with three levers, Fig. 2) and a corresponding number of canals, 6. The latter communicate with supply-,canal 7 through valverod 8 and exhaust canal 9 through valve-rod 10. Lever 4 is fitted with a latch, 12, which keeps it in position, but has no other function. Lever 4 communicates through bar 13, Fig. 1, -to iiaps 14 and latch 15. The object of the naps 14 is to provide a means to lock the lever 4, and thelatch 15 is for the purpose of locking the piston 18. The valve-rods are so arranged that if the exhaustcanal is open the supply-canal is shut, and Vice versa, and that one valve must be fully The mechanshut before the other opens, and this is acy .complished by means of loose fitting between the lever and the valve-rods. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) The normal position of the lever is that shown in Fig. 1, and the entrance-canals are all closed and the signals, switch, 85e., are undisturbed, nor can any other signal or switch iny the same combination be operated, as will hereinafter be explained.

The cylinder` 17 is connected to the canal 6 by means of the-pipe 2S. fitted with a piston, 18, and valves 19 and 20. rlhe piston is combined with a screw,213,which is provided with catches 21 and 22 and cams 23 and 24. 21 and 23 areformed in one piece and 22 and 24 are two separate pieces. The latter are adjustable by turning the Screw. The valves 19 and 20 are for the purpose of This cylinder is I IOO compensating the liquid in the connection. 19 opens when the liquid contracts, and 20 when it expands. On the valve 19 apressure is exerted which will compress the spring and open the valve Whenever the volume on the liquid in the inclosed space between the piston 18, Fig. 1, and the plunger 25, Fig. 10, diminishes. The cam 23 locks the piston at one end of its stroke and the cam 24 at the other' end, as will hereinafter be described, and the catches 21 and 22 push the bar 26 forward and back, according to the relation' they bear to the piston in its forward-and-bacl iward movement. The catches 21 and 22 are so arranged as to push the bar 26 when piston 18 is nearly at the end of its stroke, so as to force thelocking and releasing to be accomplished when the plunger 25 is'so near the end of its stroke that the signal or switch is safe. The function of this cylinder 17 is to measure a volume of liquid equal to that displaced by the plunger when the signal or switch, 82e., moves from one position to the other. When the lever 4 is moved so as to open the valve 27 and admit supply l of the liquid into the pipe 28, this liquid will pass down through this pipe 28, Fig. 1, into the cylinder 17, pushing the piston 18 forward. The piston so acted on forces theliquid through the ground-connection 29 into the plunger 25, Fig. 10, and in returning the counter-weight 30, Fig. 10, operates upon the plunger 25, pressing the liquid back in the cylinder and the piston 18, Fig. 1, back to its former position. The method of locking or releasing any lever in a given series during the period any one signal, switch, &c., is open or closed is as follows: On the return movement of the piston toward its initial position the catches' 21 and 22 operate the locking-bar 34, Fig. 1, through the bar 26. These locking-bars extend through the whole series of the signaloperating mechanisms, and on these lockingbars 34 are cams 32, and these cams are adjusted on these bars in any certain preconceived manner, as may be desired, so that when any one lever has been operated to safety any desired flaps and their corresponding levers will be locked or released by movement of bars 31 and catches on these bars, according to preconceived arrangement, on the forward movement ofthe piston of any of the operating-levers of the series, and when said lever is at the operating end of its movement will lock certain iiaps and their corresponding levers, while others will be in a position to act.

By reference to Fig. 4, which represents an analytical drawing in perspective of the action of the locking devices, 14 represents the flaps. 34 represents the locking-bars, which pass through the entire series of lever systems, and may be of any desired number. Upon these locking-bars are theV cams 32, secured to the locking-bars 34. A pin, 33, is fixed on bars 31. By moving the bar 34 the cam 32 can be moved a certain distance. The cam 32 also acts as a guide and stop for 31, because the latter cannot move either way unless 32 moves. In one end ofthe bar 34 is a notch into which the lever 35 fits. A pin, 36, on this lever fits into a slot on the bar 26. When the piston, on returning, operates the catch 22, it pushes the bar 26, thus operating upon the lever 35, which pushes the cam a distance sufiicient to cause the stopv50 to intercept the rotary movement of the flap, locking it. Other stops operated by said cam may operate any desired flaps so as to cause the levers corresponding to said flaps to be locked or to operate. The cam which is operated by the piston of the lever now in operation acts on stops on bar 31, which are in such positions that when said cam is operated upon it will cause these stops to operate upon the flaps that is, it may be so arranged that when the returning of the piston of the first lever in Fig. 2 operates its corresponding cam said cam may cause (according to preconceived adjustment) stops to act and prevent the turning of one, all, or any number of flaps in the same arrangement, and thus prevent their corresponding levers from acting when the piston has Vreturned and the lever is in its normal position. This action of the piston may act upon cams placed on the locking-bars 31, so that the bar corresponding to these cams may be released, and by these combinations of cams locking-bars, and stops,after previous adjust.

ment upon the return of the lever, certain flaps and corresponding levers in the series may be locked,while othertlaps and their corresponding levers may be capable of being caused to act.

In Fig. 4 two series of locking-bars, 34, are shownone upper,the other lowerand a cam corresponding to each; butin practice the cam is secured to either the upper or lower set,and the same piston does not operate upon two sets of cams.

A series ofcatehes, 37, may be placed on the locking-bars 31 in such ya manner that when the piston has traveled forward and the levers are operative the catches, according to previous arrangement, may hold theflap and any corresponding flap in the arrangement and its corresponding lever fixed in their operative position until the first lever operates to release the catch from the {iaps in the combination and their corresponding levers.

The piston 18, Fig. 1, is locked at each end ofits stroke in the following manner: The cams 23 and 24, hereinbefore described, are adjustable on the screw 21,so as to adapt themselves to different strokesot' the piston 18. These cams are so constructed that in their movement caused by the motion of the piston the cam 23 will elevate the latch 15,depressing the spring 51. When the cam has passed beyond the latch 15, the springis released, which causes the latch 15 to fall, preventing any movement in the piston until the lever is operated so as to release the latch 15 and the cam 24 depresscs the latch 15, thereby locking the piston at the other end of its stroke from that which the cam 23 did. The object in having ICO IIO

the piston locked is tooblige the liquid to open. the valves 19 and 2O (instead of moving the piston) when the liquid contracts or expands.

In Fig. 1 is shown the piston held at the initial point of its stroke. When the piston has completed its stroke, the cam 23 operates upon this latcl1.15,and the piston is held at the end of its stroke until the lever is operated so'as to release the latch 15.

In order that the pressure on the valve 19 may be constant, the excess of liquid enters at the bottom of acast-iron tube, 38, Fig. 9, and overflows at the top, discharging into the reservoir. The level of this liquid stands a sufficient height above the center of the valve 19 in cylinder 17, Fig. 3, to give the desired pressure on the valve. A gage graduated in parts of a pound is attaehedto the exhaust-pipe to indicate the height of the liquid in the tube 38. If the height ofthe liquid falls below the certain standard, there must then be leakage in the connections; and the leaking pipe may be located by nding which of. the valves 19 of the series are open ,eitherby electric indication attached to the stem or by pressing on the stem, or the stem pressing against anything that gives an indication, or causing the latches 12 to be locked. Y

The object ofthe tube 38 is to provide arcservoir for that amount of liquid which is necessary to make up for contraction, and also the tube allows the surplus liquid to overflow when the liquid expands. By causing the exhaust to pass through this tube there will always be a supply ofliquid, and the liquid in the tube beingvelevated to a-.certain height, the necessary pressure on the valve 19 is obtained.

The method by which the operating mechanism and devices are connected with the signal or switch apparatus is as follows: Fig. shows general view in section and elevation of arrangement of operating devices and their connection with the actuating devices of signal or switch. The liquid is stored in the reservoir, and is forced by pump 3 into the accumulator 2, from whence, when the lever 4 is operated, it enters into the cylinder 17, operating the piston .18, as heretofore described, which forces the liquid in the pipe 29. This pipe connects with the apparatus for actuating the signal or switch. lhen the liquid is forced through the pipe 29, it acts upon the plunger 25, which actuates the signal-arm by rod 49, with which it is connected by stop-rod 43 and connect-ions 40 and 41. The adjustable and stop rod 43 is secured to this part 41 by a pin. Itis tted with an adjusting-nut, 44, and stop-nuts 45, having wrought-iron washers, and a rubber to the latter to take up the shock. A pipe, 46, of a certain length, so as to give the signal a certain stroke, is inserted between and secured by these nuts 45. The casting 48 acts asa guide and stop for the 'rod 43. The

signal-rod 49 is welded to rod 43, and is operated by this rod 43. The counter-weight 30 is adjustable on the arm 55, and presses the plunger down by acting upon it. The movepresses the liquid through the pipe 29 against the plunger 25, forcing it upward, and thus pushing the rod 43. The signal-rod is thereby forced upward and the signalarm downward. wWhen t-he lever releases the tlow ot' the liquid into the cylinder 17, the plunger 25 no longer being acted upon, the counter-weight falls, forcing the plunger 25 downward and theliquid back again through the pipe 29, forcing the piston 18 back to vits initial position. Any other means which can be made to exert pressure upon the liquid so as to return it to the reservoir may be used.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters `Patent, is as follows:

tween said levers and said distributing-pipel and discharge-pipe whereby the liquidcan be admitted to the apparatus or the liquid in the apparatus returned to the' discharge-pipe.

2. In a series of hydraulic interlocking switch andsig'nal apparatus, the combination ofa supply-canal containing the liquid, a series of levers whereby said liquid is-admitted f to operate the desired apparatus, cylinders equal in number to the number of the series of Vment of the piston 18,.heretofore described,

IOO

hydraulic switch and signal apparatus, conneco tions between said cylinders and distributing-.

pipe, pistons in said cylinders, and canals connecting ysaid cylinders and signal -actuating mechanism, said canals being normally full ot' liquid.

3. In a series of hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, the combination ofaliquid-reservoir, cylinders equal in number to Vthe series of hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, said cylinders having valves 19 and 20, pipes connecting said liquid-reservoir and cylinders, and pipes connecting said cylinders and the switch or signal actuating mechanism.

4. In a hydraulic interlocking switch and.-

IlO

cylinder, a valve-box and exhaust-pipe, and a pressure-regulator on said exhaust-pipe.-

5. In aseries of hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, levers and naps equal in number and corresponding to each of said switch and signalapparatus, connection between correspondingflaps and levers, and a series of stop-bars ext-endin g through the series ot' hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, stops on said bars, and intermediate mechanismbetween said iiaps and the pistons.

6. In aseries of hydraulic interlocking switchv `and signal apparatus, in combination, cylinders corresponding in number to said series of switch and signal apparatus, pistons in said cylinders, screws connected with each of said pistons, catches 2l and 22, adjustable on said screws, and series of levers and flaps correwhen the piston is on its return movement or has almost returned to its initial position.

7. Inaseries of hydraulicinterlocking switch and signal apparatus, the combination, with cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, screws connected with said pistons, catches 2l and 22, adjustable on said screws, a series of levers, a series of ilaps equal in number to said switch and signal apparatus, stop bars extending through the series of signal and switch apparatus, catches upon said bars, and intermediate mechanism connecting said stop bars and catches, whereby one or all of the series of llaps and their corresponding levers may be locked or allowed to operate when the piston is on its forward movement.

8. In aseriesofhydraulicinterlockingswitch and signal apparatus, in combination, cylinders equal iu number to said series of switch and signal apparatus, pistons in said cylinders, screws connected with said pistons, catches 21 and 22 on and adjustable upon each ot' said screws, a series of levers and a series of fiaps equal in number to said series of switch and signal apparatus, stop-bars extending through the series of switch and signal apparatus, catches upon said bars, and intermediate mechanism connecting said stop bars and catches, whereby one or all of the series of flaps and their corresponding levers may be locked or allowed to operate when the piston is on its forward movement.

9. In a hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, a cylinder, 17, piston 18 in said cylinder, screw 2l3,catches 21 and 23, adjustable on said screw, flaps 14, bars 34, cams 32 on said bars, locking-bar 31,

connected to said cam 32, and lever 35, connecting said cam and bars 26 and catches 37, whereby any desired ilap of the series may be locked or allowed to operate when said flap is in or nearly in a vertical position.

10. In a hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, a lever, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a screw connected with said piston, cams adjustable on said screw, and latch 15, having spring 51, and connection between said latch and the operating-lever, whereby the piston is locked on the initial and forward end of its stroke.

11. In a hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, the cylinder 17, the piston 1S in said cylinder, a liquidreservoir, connection between said liquid-reservoir and said cylinder, valve 19, groundconnection pipe 29, and an apparatus for actuating said signal or switch.

l2. In a hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, the cylinder 17, the piston 18 in said cylinder, a liquidreservoir, connection between said liquid-reservoir and said cylinder, valves 19 and 20, ground-connection pipe 29, an apparatus for actuating said signal or switch, and means to return the liquid from the switch or signal actuating apparatus to the said cylinder.

13. In the signal orswitch actuating devices of an interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, the plunger 25, means to operate said plunger, the adjustable stop-rod 43 and adj Listing-rod 44, stop-nuts 45, the pipe 46, the signal-rod 49, attached to rod 43, and the adjustable counter-weight 30, acting upon the plunger.

14. In a hydraulic interlocking switch and signal apparatus, in combination, a reservoir for the liquid, a cylinder having valves 19. and 20, a pipe to carry the liquid from the reservoir to the cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a signal or switch actuating mechanism, and a pipe to carry the liquid to operate the signal or switch actuating mechanism, said pipe being normally full of liquid.

` J. AUGUST ZINN.

Witnesses:

WALTER VIELHABER, SVEN SvnNsoN. 

